Must-Watch MLB Prospect Matchups From Every 2025 Spring Breakout Game

Image credit: Jac Caglianone (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

Last year, the new Spring Breakout series provided some fun and excitement for fans. It also provided some memorable matchups between future MLB stars.

None was bigger than the showdown between future NL Rookie Of the Year Paul Skenes and the No. 1 prospect in the game at that time in Jackson Holliday. In that start, Skenes debuted a splinker and struck out Holliday. While the star power of Skenes likely will be unmatched by this group, let’s take a look at some of the potential memorable matchups in the works for this year’s games.

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Red Sox vs. Rays

Matchup To Watch: The Red Sox Big Three of Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer against the Rays’ top pitching prospects.

It’s uncertain how many at bats Anthony, Campbell and Mayer will receive and exactly who they’ll face, but we should see them against one of Santiago Suarez, Gary Gill Hill, Trevor Harrison or Jackson Baumeister. While none of the Rays pitchers are considered elite prospects, they all have the ability to dominate in spurts. They’ll all be put to the test against a deep and talented Red Sox lineup.

Cubs vs. Dodgers

Matchup To Watch: Jackson Ferris (Dodgers) vs. Moises Ballesteros (Cubs)

This pick could have easily been Zyhir Hope or Josue De Paula vs. Cade Horton. But there’s just something about Ferris facing off against the Cubs’ best hitting prospect and his former catcher in Ballesteros. Ferris has loud stuff from the left side and can strike out batters in bunches. On the other side is Ballesteros, a polished young contact hitter who’s difficult to overpower. This could make for one of the more fun battles of the Spring Breakout series.

Cardinals vs. Marlins

Matchup To Watch: JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals) vs. Thomas White (Marlins)

The left-on-left matchup certainly favors White, but Wetherholt is one of the best young hitters from last year’s draft. White, one of the minors’ premiere pitching prospects, has a deep repertoire of above-average-to-plus pitches. He dominates lefthanded hitters, who hit just .207/.328/.324 against him in 2024. Wetherholt has a history of hitting lefthanded pitching quite well, however, giving him a puncher’s chance in this matchup.

Pirates vs. Phillies

Matchup To Watch: Bubba Chandler (Pirates) vs. Aidan Miller (Phillies)

Last year, this matchup gave us Skenes vs. Holliday. This year, it’s Chandler against Miller. Chandler is back for his second Spring Breakout and is one of the premier prospects in the game, while Miller showed glimpses in 2024. Chandler can overpower any hitter in the Phillies lineup, but Miller likely posies the greatest threat.

Nationals vs. Astros

Matchup To Watch: Jarlin Susana (Nationals) vs. Cam Smith (Astros)

With the Nationals playing two spring breakout games, there’s no certainty that Susana will pitch in this matchup. If he does, his battle with Smith is going to be must-watch stuff. It’s power vs. power, as Susana brings to the table a triple-digit fastball and filthy slider, while Smith has plus power and good plate skills. Despite being a power hitter, Smith is difficult to strikeout. He has the edge in this matchup as his patience, bat-to-ball skills and power make him a very tough out.

Athletics vs. Padres

Matchup To Watch: Luis Morales (Athletics) vs. Leodalis De Vries and Ethan Salas (Padres)

Anyone vs. Nick Kurtz would likely be a good pick here, but no one on the Padres’ staff brings the same sizzle Morales can. When he’s on, the Cuban hurler can ramp it up to 100 mph with serious ride. He’ll potentially face off against the Padres wunderkind duo of Leo De Vries and Ethan Salas. This matchup features three players with sky-high upside.

Mariners vs. Guardians

Matchup To Watch: Travis Bazzana (Guardians) vs. Jurrangelo Cijntje (Mariners)

This game features lots of well-established and highly-touted bats. Anytime you have a switch-pitcher against the No. 1 pick in the draft, it’s must-watch material. Cijntje was the Mariners’s 2024 first-rounder and one of the more interesting prospects in the game as a true ambidextrous pitcher. Bazzana is a polished hitter and fierce competitor who rarely gives up a bad at bat.

Royals vs. Diamondbacks

Matchup To Watch: Jac Caglianone (Royals) vs. Any D-backs Pitcher

There’s no real standout pitchers in this matchup, so all eyes will be on Royals 2024 first-rounder Jac Caglianone. The mighty slugging first baseman has the ability to put one out to any part of the ballpark on any swing. Caglianone is capable of hitting eye-popping home runs and posting elite exit velocities.

Twins vs. Blue Jays

Matchup To Watch: Trey Yesavage (Blue Jays) vs. Luke Keaschall (Twins)

We haven’t seen Yesavage yet as a professional, and Blue Jays fans are clamoring to find out what the team might have in the righthander. On the other side, Keaschall was a breakout name in 2024 before going down with an elbow injury. His return to the field is a welcomed sight for Twins fans. This could be a good matchup between two of the better prospects in this game.

Yankees vs. Orioles

Matchup To Watch: George Lombard Jr. (Yankees) vs. Nestor German (Orioles)

This is a bit of an unconventional pick, but German is one of the more underrated pitching prospects at the moment. He has a deep arsenal of pitches led by his fastball with plus-plus ride. Lombard Jr., meanwhile, is one of the hottest names heading into the season, as offseason buzz has been boiling over with a strong spring training performance.

Rangers vs. Giants

Matchup To Watch: Sebastian Walcott (Rangers) vs. Carson Whisenhunt (Giants)

This game features two of the top young hitting prospects in the minors in the Walcott and the Giants’ Bryce Eldridge. While Eldridge vs. either of the two Rangers fireballers in Emiliano Teodo and Winston Santos would be great matchups, Walcott is an electric factory. Walcott can hit for power, get on base and run wild when on the base paths. He’s the type of prospect who’s much-watch TV whenever he’s on the screen. Whisenhunt could give him a tricky matchup, however, as he’s a crafty lefthander with advanced feel for his offspeed pitches.

Angels vs. Cubs

Matchup To Watch: Cade Horton (Cubs) vs. Christian Moore (Angels)

With the Cubs playing two games, it’s tricky to nail down which game Horton will pitch. If it’s Saturday’s showdown with the Angels, a potential showdown with former Tennessee standout Christian Moore looms large. Moore is an exciting prospect and could be following the same fast rising trajectory as former Angels first-round picks Zack Neto and Nolan Schanuel. He has a ton of power and speed, which could lead to some fireworks.

Tigers vs. Braves

Matchup To Watch: Max Clark (Tigers) vs. JR Ritchie (Braves)

Ritchie is the only notable Braves prospect on the roster and has shown well in his professional career. He returned after having Tommy John surgery in 2023 and will look to build momentum toward his first fully-healthy season. The loaded Tigers lineup will pose a major threat, but no hitter brings as much excitement and fanfare as Clark. While not a traditional power hitter, he does possess power and speed and could easily create some memorable at-bats.

Mets vs. Nationals

Matchup To Watch: Jonah Tong (Mets) vs. Luke Dickerson (Nationals)

Dickerson has had a bit of buzz coming out of the draft and could be a breakout prospect in 2025. Tong broke out in 2024 and is the best arm in the Mets Spring Breakout corps. It will be tricky to predict who pitches for the Nationals, but if Susana pitches in this game and not the Astros game, Susana vs. Jett Williams becomes the premier matchup.

Rockies vs. White Sox

Matchup To Watch: Charlie Condon (Rockies) vs. Hagen Smith (White Sox)

A battle of 2024 first-round picks and former SEC standouts. This matchup features arguably the best pitching with Chase Dollander, Noah Schultz and Smith all rostered. While Schultz vs. Condon would make for a great watch, the one at-bat sample size measuring stick of two recent first rounders is too good to pass up. Condon’s stock has taken a significant hit since the draft, but he’ll look to build momentum heading into a big 2025 season. Smith has seen time in relief this spring with the White Sox, showing big stuff to go with solid results.

Reds vs. Brewers

Matchup To Watch: Chase Burns (Reds) vs. Jesus Made (Brewers)

This is the dream matchup of the 2025 Spring Breakout series in my opinion. In the final game, we’ll get another glimpse of Burns and will also see the mysterious Jesus Made. The latter will make his stateside debut in 2025 and is one of the most talked about prospects at the moment. This matchup has shades of Skenes vs. Holliday from last year, and in a few years time, it might be a memorable showdown.